In Maine girls basketball, Class A North is a battlefield these days as Hampden, Camden Hills, and Mt. Ararat compete for the top spot. Though two of those teams are featured in the Top 10 this week, one was edged out due to a couple of other teams fighting their way in.
Cheverus is still undefeated, while six other teams on the list have just one loss. Those with two losses only lost to other ranked teams, and it seems as though every one of these teams has a real chance at making a deep run in their respective classes.
With about a quarter of the regular season still to go, things are far from set in stone. But as conference standings take shape and top-10 matchups loom, the outlook on Maine girls basketball is getting a bit clearer.
Here's our latest look at the best teams in the state.
1. Cheverus (13-0)
Previous rank: 1
Next game: at Thornton Academy, Jan. 23, 6 p.m.
Cheverus is showing no signs of slowing down. Since beating South Portland by five in their season-opener, the Stags have won twelve straight by an average of nearly 33 points while putting up 67 points per game. How’s that for dominance? With five games to go in the regular season, the question is whether Cheverus can keep this up and end with a perfect record. Perhaps the last true test will come in its last game of the season: a rematch against South Portland on Feb. 2.
2. Mt. Ararat (12-1)
Previous rank: 3
Next game: at Messalonskee, Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Mt. Ararat’s sole defeat remains its one-point loss to Gray New-Gloucester. Since then, it’s won five straight, including a 50-point blowout over York and a 21-point victory over Bangor. The Eagles’ offense, led by Julianna Allen and the Jensen twins, Jaelyn and Jenna, presents a tough challenge to opposing defenses. Things get even more challenging when you add senior forward Kayleigh Wagg and sophomore guard Cali LeClair to the mix. Those two have turned things up a notch, especially from the 3-point line, and look ready to help lead the Eagles on what could be another title run.
3. South Portland (12-1)
Previous rank: 6
Next game: at Windham, Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m.
One five-point loss to No. 1 Cheverus is the only thing that stands between South Portland and a perfect record. Since falling 51-46 in their season-opener, the Red Riots have run through opponents left and right, including Sanford (10-2) and Biddeford (12-2). While key pieces Anna Whitmore and Caleigh Corcoran have been extremely consistent, South Portland has also shown depth that should serve them well in the postseason.
4. Edward Little (12-1)
Previous rank: 4
Next game: vs. Hampden Academy, Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Edward Little hasn’t lost since Dec. 19, when Mt. Ararat bested the Red Eddies 64-44. It wasn’t exactly a pretty loss, but Edward Little rebounded by beating every team since. Breakout sophomore Elizabeth Galway has impressed through it all. She put up 15 points (with four 3s) and 19 rebounds in last week’s 48-44 victory over Lewiston, as the Red Eddies sank 10 total 3-pointers for their eighth straight win.
5. Oceanside (14-1)
Previous rank: 5
Next game: at Morse, Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Oceanside beat previously undefeated Gardiner by 10 points on Jan. 20, using a 21-13 second quarter to pull ahead. Olivia Breen scored 25 and Renee Ripley added 21 points, including four 3-pointers. Lawrence is the only team that’s given Oceanside any real trouble this season, and also remains the Mariners’ only loss as they head into the final three games of the regular season.
6. Sanford (10-2)
Previous rank: NR
Next game: vs. Massabesic, Jan. 21, 6 p.m.
Sanford’s two losses this season have come to top-five contenders in Cheverus and South Portland. And while the early loss to Cheverus came by nearly 20 points, South Portland only beat the Spartans by six. Sanford also knocked off Biddeford (12-2) in its season-opener. Sophomore forward Mollie Puffer — who was one of the top freshmen in Maine last season — has been electric offensively for the Spartans, including from behind the arc. Junior guard Paige Sevigny has also proven herself as an offensive weapon for this surging Sanford squad.
7. Biddeford (12-2)
Previous rank: 7
Next game: at Portland, Jan. 21, 6 p.m.
Biddeford hasn’t lost since Dec. 19, when South Portland beat the Tigers to hand them their second loss in their first five games. The other defeat came by two points to Sanford in the first game of the season. Natalie and Gabriella Silva have become regular go-tos on both ends of the floor, while Jordyn Crump is certainly making her presence known. Crump put up 20 points (including three 3-pointers), seven rebounds and seven steals in a 75-40 win over Scarborough last week.
8. Gray-New Gloucester (13-1)
Previous rank: 2
Next game: vs. Yarmouth, Jan. 29, 7 p.m.
Right after beating No. 2 Mt. Ararat in overtime, GNG lost by 16 points to unranked York, marking a setback for the previously undefeated Patriots. Everyone except for freshman standout Bryn Gilmore struggled to score in the 53-37 loss. The Patriots have returned to their normal programming in the games since, though. Gilmore and junior guard Abbey Steele have found a rhythm offensively, and they combined for 33 points and five 3s in a win over Lewiston on Jan. 10.
9. Gardiner (12-1)
Previous rank: NR
Next game: vs. Cony, Jan. 22, 6:30 p.m.
Breen and Oceanside dealt Gardiner its first loss of the season, winning 67-57. Other than that lapse, though, the Tigers have been perfect. Its schedule has been relatively lighter than some of the other top-10 teams, but back-to-back wins over Maddie Provost and Lawrence is no easy feat, no matter how you slice it. Sophomore Molly Takatsu has taken over in multiple games and had Gardiner during its 12-win start.
10. Camden Hills (11-2)
Previous rank: 9
Next game: at Brunswick, Jan. 23, 6 p.m.
A 44-30 win over A North rival Hampden marked Camden Hill’s fifth straight victory following losses to Edward Little and Oceanside earlier this season. The Windjammers seem to have Hampden’s number, and currently sit near the top of A North. To be the best, though, they’ll have to beat the best. Camden will play Mt. Ararat on Jan. 27 with hopes of doing just that.
